Anemone and Lionfish?

[Adam S]

Im looking to get an anemone for my tank but have an antennata lion and zebra lion and was wondering if they are compatable with the anemone. Will the lions know not to perch on the anemone?? Or if they do will the anemone kill them? Thanks

 

[sacremon]

No, the lions won't know not to perch on the anemone likely until is it too late, and anemones, if large or venomous enough, can kill lions. I would not mix them.

 

[Adam S]

Man that sucks but good thing i asked. Thanks

 

[Acrophiliac]

Some anemone's like BTA's will give him no problems. I have had BTA's in my tanks for years with all types of fish and never an issue. If its a carpet anemone, which is far more agressive then dont do it. If a lion touched or bumped into a bta he could easily shake it off.

 

[Adam S]

yea i was thinking a green bubble tip but im not sure i wanna risk it with how much the lions perch

 

[Adam S]

What if i get a clown like a maroon that would maybe protect the anemone from the lion and keep the lion from getting eaten.

 

[Toddrtrex]

First, what size tank?
what lights do you have?
what are your current water parameters -- with numbers. Want to see if your tank could support an anemone, regardless of the fish you have.

Second, I would never count on a clown to either protect the anemone (( watched a blue face angel pick on an S. haddoni, that was hosting a pair of Clarkiis )), nor to keep other fish safe from it -- have seen clowns attack other fish, and then "run" back to their S. haddoni, and ended up losing a golden dwarf that chased them too far.

 

[Adam S]

Its a 5ft 120g with kessil led's
Params right now are
Salinity: 1.024
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate 5-10 ppm
Ph: 8.2
Thats all the tests i have right now but ill be picking up the remaining ones soon.

 

[Acrophiliac]

A maroon clown would definately keep a lion fish from perching on it. First off a Lion wouldnt perch on it because theres no way he would take it for a rock. Lions are not aquacultured and they have instincts like all wild fish, he will stay away from it. Even if he bumped a bta it wouldnt take him down but a maroon in the anemone would be another bit of extra security.
Again, we are talking BTA's. A haddoni or carpet is far more agressive and a simple touch will cause a fish to get stuck to it like velcro, not the case with a BTA.

 

[Sunshine252]

I've considered the same thing. I'm happy to hear that it might be possible. However, I'm 100% certain that Leo (my lion) would eat any clownfish that I put in there... even a full grown, aggressive one so I wouldn't go that route. I think I'll go shop for some lights... LOL

 

[namxas]

As mentioned, I wouldn't count on a lion to not eat a clownfish at all, even a full-grown maroon if the lion in question is an adult volitans. That being said, proportionally, our P. antennata has one of the biggest mouths out of all the lions we keep, so it's possible that it could try, assuming it's a large adult.

Adam,

Refresh my memory as to tank size. I think if the tank is large enuff, a BTA is fine. IME, I've kept P. volitans with a BTA as well as a Cerianthus with no problems. I wouldn't trust ANYTHING with a carpet 'nem tho.

 

[Wolverine]

I think if the tank is large enuff, a BTA is fine. IME, I've kept P. volitans with a BTA as well as a Cerianthus with no problems. I wouldn't trust ANYTHING with a carpet 'nem tho.

I agree on both points.

I also agree that I wouldn't trust the lionfish not to eat the clownfish eventually.

 

[Adam S]

As mentioned, I wouldn't count on a lion to not eat a clownfish at all, even a full-grown maroon if the lion in question is an adult volitans. That being said, proportionally, our P. antennata has one of the biggest mouths out of all the lions we keep, so it's possible that it could try, assuming it's a large adult.

Adam,

Refresh my memory as to tank size. I think if the tank is large enuff, a BTA is fine. IME, I've kept P. volitans with a BTA as well as a Cerianthus with no problems. I wouldn't trust ANYTHING with a carpet 'nem tho.

Its 60x18x24 120g tank with 55 sump. I was definatly thinking a green bubble tip anem and right now each lion is about 3 inches and at my lfs we have plenty of huge maroon clowns.

 

[namxas]

The lions won't have any issues with the nems, so unless you really want a nasty damsel in your tank, the clown is unnecessary.

 

[Adam S]

Ok sounds good then i will try a BTA and see how it goes...i do like maroon clowns but they really are just to territorial

 

[nateqt]

i've kept a D. Barberi lionfish in my reef tank that has 5 carpet nems in it without a problem, I wouldn't recommend it, but it's not like if you do it all hell is going to break loose

 

[Dragon moray ki]

In my tank I have a maroon and a lion fish and a anemone ant hey r fine

 

[namxas]

In my tank I have a maroon and a lion fish and a anemone ant hey r fine

I'm not saying it's gonna happen 100% for sure, but I know of two peeps who had 6 1/2" female maroons eaten by their volitans. One of those peeps is a regular in this forum. An adult volitans can eat a clown easily if it decides it needs a snack.

Additionally, lions might be considered aggressive, but they're about as passive as a fish gets in terms of temperament, and if there are aggressive fish or fast swimmers in their tanks, they tend to perch and remain in the background a lot more than if they aren't bugged by their tankmates.

 

[ashtree68]

I have 2 tube anemones in with a wasp, a tiny fuzzy, and Fu, up until recently there was a Mombasa in the tank as well never had problems with the nems and the lions/scorps. I've also done volitansand fuzzies with rock and bubble tip anemones without them ever having a problem. The bubble nems ended up splitting and taking up a good amount of area so I'd say you could do it.

Not sure if this was mentioned above, do you have the lions now under the LEDs? Just be careful about the bright lights blinding the lions. If you already have them and the lions then nevermind.

 

[sacremon]

Additionally, lions might be considered aggressive, but they're about as passive as a fish gets in terms of temperament, and if there are aggressive fish or fast swimmers in their tanks, they tend to perch and remain in the background a lot more than if they aren't bugged by their tankmates.

People tend to mistake voracious for aggressive. Lions don't nip or pester other fish. They are just looking for a meal.